Welcome to your weekly dose of fantasy basketball possibilities as we explore and identify players who can help take your team to the next level in your quest for the championship crown of your league. It’s a long season, so it’s beneficial to maintain an “it’s a marathon, not a sprint” mindset as you strategize and tailor your approach, whether weekly or season-long, to maximize your team’s value and potential.
Each week, we will be looking at players who are widely available and rostered in fewer than 65% of fantasy leagues on Yahoo. Our focus will be on building strategies in eight-category leagues with standard scoring (more details outlined below).
Insights about the highlighted players will concentrate on how they can contribute to the aligned category but also touch on how they can contribute to various other categories.
Check out the latest fantasy basketball expert consensus rankings
Fantasy Basketball Category Analysis & Waiver Wire Pickups
Fantasy Format
Scoring Type: Head-to-Head (Most Categories)
Player Stat Categories:
- Points Scored (PTS)
- Total Rebounds (REB)
- Assists (AST)
- Steals (ST)
- Block Shots (BLK)
- 3-Point Shots Made (3PTM)
- Field Goal Percentage (FG%)
- Free Throw Percentage (FT%)
Roster Positions:
- Point Guard (PG)
- Shooting Guard (SG)
- Guard (G)
- Small Forward (SF)
- Power Forward (PF)
- Center (C) x 2
- Utility (UTIL) x 2
- Bench (BN) x 2
- Injured List (IL) x 3
Points
Cole Anthony (PG – ORL) | 29% Rostered
Cole Anthony, a point guard with shooting guard tendencies, excels in aggressively attacking the rim. Last season, he averaged 10.2 field-goal attempts per game, shooting 45.4% from the floor and 3.4 three-pointer attempts per game, shooting 36.4% from beyond the arc. Additionally, he contributed 4.8 rebounds, 0.6 steals and 3.9 assists per game. Currently rostered in only 29.% of leagues, Anthony could be a versatile fantasy asset for your strategy throughout the year.
Rebounds
Kevin Love (PF/C – MIA) | 25% Rostered
Kevin Love, rostered in 25.0% of leagues, despite a career average of 10.4 rebounds per contest, produced only 5.7 rebounds per game in his first year with the Heat. However, history suggests improvement in his second and third years with a new team:
- MIN: 9.1 REB (2008 to 2009), 11.0 REB (2009 to 2010), 15.2 REB (2010 to 2011)
- CLE: 9.7 REB (2014 to 2015), 9.9 REB (2015 t0 2016), 11.1 REB (2016 to 2017)
- MIA: 5.7 REB (2022 to 2023), 9.5 REB* (2023 to 2024 – through two games*)
While it’s a simple observation, Love could be a wise acquisition off the wire. I believe that the seasoned vet still has something to offer and that his situation in Miami may be the right one to remind us of his invaluable utility when he is healthy and on the floor.
Assists
Killian Hayes (PG/SG – DET) | 8% Rostered
Under coach Monty Williams, the Pistons show promise, which can bode well for both Killian Hayes’ development and fantasy value. He is a talented player who finally put together a substantial book of work last season, leading the team last season, averaging 6.2 assists and 1.4 steals per game. Hayes, rostered in only 8.0% of leagues, could be a valuable acquisition this year if he can remain healthy and grow into his role as an effective facilitator.
Steals
Jonathan Isaac (SF/PF – ORL) | 8% Rostered
Jonathan Isaac has averaged 1.22 steals per game across four seasons. Despite injuries, his potential is evident. In the 2019-2020 season, he was on track for a breakthrough season, averaging 6.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 2.3 blocks and 1.6 steals per game while shooting 47.0% from the floor and 34.0% from beyond the arc. However, he was injured after 34 games. Returning from a long hiatus, he recorded impressive stats in his first game of the 2023-2024 season, as he logged 14.0 minutes while going for 11.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.0 blocks, shooting 66.7% from the floor and 33.3% from beyond the arc. If he stays healthy, Isaac could be a significant steal.
Jalen Johnson (SF/PF – ATL) | 40% Rostered
Jalen Johnson put together two solid performances to kick off the season against the Hornets and Knicks this past week, in which he nearly achieved two consecutive double-doubles. In a small sample size, he has demonstrated his ability to shoot efficiently while also actively contributing to other statistical categories, as evidenced by his full stuffing of the stat sheet in back-to-back games this year.
So far this season, he has averaged 29.6 minutes, 16.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.0 blocks per game while shooting 66.7% from the floor and 20.0% from beyond the arc. Should he continue to build upon and sustain this level of play, he could be a game-changer for the Hawks, as well as for your fantasy squad. Although it is too early to go all-in confidently, it could be a great time to take a chance and invest in his potential before it’s too late, as his 40.0% roster rate is sure to change the more he continues to produce.
Blocks
Dereck Lively II (C – DAL) | 53% Rostered
Derek Lively, with his 7-foot-1, 230-pound frame, shows potential for blocks and rebounds. He averaged 1.75 blocks in the pre-season and sustained 2.4 blocks at Duke. After putting up his first career double-double with 16.0 points and 10.0 rebounds against the Spurs this season, he put together a less-inspiring performance in his second game with only 9.0 points and 2.0 rebounds across 17.0 minutes of play against the Nets. The raw talent is there, and even though it is very early in his career and development, it appears that he has made enough of an impression to challenge for and maintain the starting center job. He is currently rostered in 53.0% of leagues, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if we see that number rise substantially by the end of the full month of play.
Three-Pointers
Luke Kennard (PG/SG – MEM) | 2% Rostered
Despite a shaky performance in the season opener, Luke Kennard has been largely efficient with his opportunities, shooting 54.0% from downtown and averaging 3.1 three-pointers per game in his first stint with the Grizzlies last season. Although his fantasy value could be heavily efficiency-dependent, his talent, experience and opportunities off the bench should make him a viable and pragmatic streaming option throughout the season.
Field-Goal Percentage
Kevin Huerter (SG/SF – SAC) | 58% Rostered
Kevin Huerter, rostered in 58.0% of leagues, is coming off his best season with the Kings, as he averaged 15.2 points per game, shooting a career-high 48.5% from the floor and 40.2% from beyond the arc. His all-around contribution makes him an asset, especially in deeper leagues.
Free-Throw Percentage
Kelly Olynyk (PF/C – UTA) | 18% Rostered
Kelly Olynyk had one of his best seasons a year ago, averaging 12.5 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.5 blocks per game. He shot 49.4% from the floor, 39.4% from beyond the arc and 85.3% from the free-throw line. Rostered in only 18.0% of leagues, Olynyk offers unique versatility and consistency.
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